10
major benefits to staying active in old age

Tuesday 19th December, 2017

Sticking to an exercise routine can be
tough during our working years, with limitations on our time and energy making
it hard to stay committed. After retirement, it can be even harder to start
exercising, even though there may be more time available to do it. But with all
the benefits that regular exercise can bring, it’s important we do everything
we can to encourage older people to enjoy staying active and to reap the
rewards. Here are just some of the major benefits to staying active in old age:

1. Prevent bone mass loss

Simple activities
such as walking can help maintain bone mass, making older people less
susceptible to osteoporosis and to suffering fractures easily. One study showed
that by simply walking for 30 minutes a day, hip fractures were reduced among
the elderly by up to 40 per cent.

2. Improve sleep

Older people
often have problems with getting a good night’s sleep, and simple light
exercise can improve this no end. Doing some gardening, walking around a
stately home or simply doing some housework can significantly reduce problems
with insomnia and help to aid restful sleep.

3. Strengthen muscles

Loss of muscle
mass in old age is natural, and begins as early as our 30’s and 40’s. By
working to maintain muscle mass, older people can enjoy better mobility as well
as helping to avoid excessive pressure on the joints which can exacerbate pain
from arthritis.

4. Improve balance

Exercises which
bolster the sense of balance can help to reduce the incidence of falls, and can
make older people feel more confident in their mobility. Low impact balancing
skills like yoga and Pilates can be great for this, or even just going for a
walk.

5. Improve circulation

Poor circulation
can cause high blood pressure, heart disease and water retention, as well as a
host of other health issues. Regular cardiovascular exercise can reduce the
likelihood of these issues, and can help prevent stroke or a heart attack too.

6. Reduce the risk of dementia

Living a
sedentary lifestyle in older age can increase the risk of dementia, or can
accelerate its onset in someone who has already been diagnosed. Physical
activity can have a significant impact on both the physical and mental
wellbeing of those who are already living with dementia, and can help to reduce
the risk of developing the disease too.

7. Improve mental ability

The brain needs
blood flow to keep it in peak condition, and by increasing the heart rate
through light exercise, brains can be kept healthier and mental alertness
sharper into older age. A study in the US showed that people who walked between
two and three miles each day could slow the rate of mental decline in old age
compared to those who walked less than half a mile.

8. Feel happier

Many older
people can be plagued with depression for one reason or another. Exercise can
counteract this, and can help older people feel happier and remain mentally
well. This is because exercise releases happy chemicals, known as endorphins,
which keep us feeling happy and positive about our lives.

9. Reduce aches and pains

It can be hard
to start exercising for those who suffer from aches and pains, but research
shows that in the long run, moderate exercise can help stave off these
discomforts. Starting off slowly and only doing what is possible without excessive
discomfort is key to starting to build resilience.

10. Live longer

People who
exercise regularly in their 50’s, 60’s and beyond have been shown to live
longer than those who don’t. Even something as simple as walking for half an
hour a day can help older people
to live a happy, healthy life as they age.

Encouraging
older people to exercise if they are not used to it can be challenging. Here at
Blenheim House, we set out lots of opportunities for exercise,
many of which don’t seem like exercise at all. For instance, residents will be
soon be able to make use of the innovative ‘Tovertafel’ – a
new interactive light game that helps with encouraging movement, whilst aiding
reminiscence and helping to relax residents.

From
dancing to playing games, we always manage to find an appealing way to get older
people moving, so they can benefit from all the positive impacts of moderate
exercise.